English | Financial news with a German perspective

The Defense Minister becomes the new Kale King of Oldenburg. The former Majesty, Christian Lindner, had to step down. Was this the last major career move for the popular Social Democrat?

The rail infrastructure group Vossloh has raised its targets for 2023 twice. CFO Thomas Triska explains why he is relatively unperturbed by the austerity measures in the federal budget and the recession in Germany.

Until now, tech companies have been the main builders of data centers. However, the prospect of returns is attracting new investors who are renting out the facilities. Presently, the US asset manager Blackrock is pursuing a majority stake in the data center subsidiary of Frankfurt's energy provider Mainova.

For a while, it seemed as if the EU Commission and other EU institutions were giving up their efforts to pool the national deposit guarantee schemes – the German government was too adamant in its opposition. But some players in Brussels are now showing great motivation again.

Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner (FDP) discussed the aftermath of Brexit with entrepreneurs and financial market representatives in London. He sees a need for reforms in Germany.

A survey conducted by Börsen-Zeitung among German commercial real estate financiers reveals the extent of German banks' involvement in the US market. Whether specialized financiers, regional, or major banks, many institutions have exposure. But there is no reason for panic just yet.

Corporate groups are trying to utilise the innovative strength of start-ups for their own benefit using various approaches. In addition to corporate venture capital, venture clienting is also increasingly being used.

Prohibitive parking fees for out-of-town SUVs: Frankfurt is also discussing whether it should emulate the Parisian traffic transformation model. A popular underground car park in the Frankfurt city centre has long since set an example.

Punit Renjens' lack of technology expertise was a deficiency that SAP could not tolerate, especially when it comes to the role of an active chairman of the supervisory board.

Bureaucracy in Germany is becoming increasingly hefty and threatens to strangle the economy. It spreads like mildew across the country, as Chancellor Scholz warns. Regular relief laws promise only temporary successes. A major overhaul is needed.

The question of whether promises made in advertising regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) are being upheld is now occupying the German judiciary.

The founders of Software One want to demonstrate who holds power in the company and what the right path is. They aim to push through the sale of the company to Bain Capital at an extraordinary general meeting.

The EU has passed a law that prohibits greenwashing. Specifically, it concerns terminology such as "climate-neutral" and "environmentally friendly." These terms will only be allowed in the future if they can be substantiated.

Generative models drive the development of artificial intelligence in the finance industry. There are many application ideas for novel AI. Only a few are ready for business.

The success of Bundesliga newcomer SV Elversberg is primarily attributed to one man: Frank Holzer. The CEO of the pharmaceutical company Ursapharm, who was once a professional footballer himself and has been friends with Felix Magath since that time.

A new museum is being built in Wiesbaden at the expense of a private patron to house his globally unique collection of abstract art. The opening is scheduled for summer 2024.

EPI CEO Martina Weimert sees the digital euro as an opportunity for the European Payments Initiative and emphasizes the importance of cooperation over rivalry, considering the already intense competition from players such as Mastercard, Visa, and Paypal.

Negotiators from the Council and the EU Parliament have agreed on European guidelines for providers of sustainability ratings. They must disclose their sources and methodology and ensure that the issuing of ESG ratings is separated from, for example, consulting or auditing.

Despite declining funding, France's startup scene is regarded as resilient. This is also thanks to the French government, which actively supports it through the targeted promotion of the French Tech initiative.

Developers of generative AI tools still operate within a gray area with regard to copyright when training their language models. However, their reliance on the fair use principle could carry weight considering previous legal precedents.

In many areas, German companies can no longer reduce their digital dependency. However, the aim can be to balance them out by opening up business areas for innovative technologies.

AI researcher Kristian Kersting on the effects of the EU's new AI law, the danger of a new bureaucracy monster, competition issues and whether the AI Act is actually suitable for promoting small and medium-sized enterprises.